Newsletter. Election results: Savoring the Transition
I’m excited that Fitz Ryland, who helped start “Collective Agency” as one of the first Coordinating Council members, and who has assisted me as staff for the past year, was elected by members to be the next Main Community Organizer. Fitz has one of the best understandings of representative democracy, of relationships among people, of anyone I know, and has constantly reminded me of the community mission since the beginning. 100% of the decision-making/control that I have had as Main Community Organizer, will transfer to Fitz the morning of June 15th. I think this is worth savoring. It’s been a lot of hard work, and fulfilling.
Dietrich Ayala and Jim Blandy join Emanuel Costache and Sam Balter on the Coordinating Council. These are the election results, and the council member nomination statements. This is Fitz’s statement.
I’ve thought of “Collective Agency” as a very small city, a democracy business where the revenue is from rent, and the members have rights (which I think of as a set of guarantees for the ability to act within broad limits). We have a Constitution, elected representatives, a 2-house system, and term limits for the main organizer. 10 months after opening our doors, this democracy is profitable and a place of community.
Just a year ago, “Collective Agency” was a phrase (“our ability to act together”) but not yet a place in Old Town, Portland. We have more than 50 members, with capacity for many more. GDP is around $5 million/year, and I expect will build to $15+ million/year. Lightning Talks, lunches, and other activities were suggested by members, and have made my life better. As a group and group-of-groups, as people who work in the same place, we keep growing, in numbers and experiences.
I’m a member like the other members, and will be at “Collective Agency” often. My next project will be to research existing legal-financial structures for profit-sharing. My email is alexlinsker@gmail.com
Thanks to so many people over the past year, without whom “Collective Agency” would be less good. Fitz especially, who has constantly reminded me of the mission, and who many members have come to know even better than myself. Emanuel Costache, for suggesting that the democracy become more parliamentary, which led to the Civics meetings. Sam Balter, for phrases and insights that sum things up so well. And tens of other people, members and non-members, who ask questions, advise, do work, refer members and meetings by members and non-members, and who make “Collective Agency” worthy of being a place to be, where everyone is welcome within the broad limits that we have.
How? Mainly through conversations, learning new perspectives, asking clarifying questions, having fun, and getting work done. Everyone is worthy of being here.
We do outreach to more new members every 6 months: we grow through referrals. Business continues as usual, with constant quality of innovation, getting better and better. If you don’t know Fitz yet, if you want to experience what this is all about, call him up at (503) 517-6900, email him at Council@CollectiveAgency.co, visit Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, and come and work here.
Alex
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Alex Linsker, “Collective Agency” Main Community Organizer June 15th, 2011-June 14th, 2012, and member August 1st, 2011 and on.
(503) 369-9174 mobile
322 NW Sixth Ave, Suite 200, Portland, Oregon 97209
http://CollectiveAgency.co
Categories: Newsletter
